Zayat is Leaving; Baffert hates it

[The Indomitable DrugS]

Originally Posted by Riot

I agree that pure speed doesn't seem to hold as well on artificial surfaces on routes as on some other particular tracks' dirt surfaces. I had to adjust to that when Keeneland changed over.

Any data we can ferret out about any particular tracks' idiosyncracies helps us beat the general public, no matter the track.

Forget about betting for a moment.

Do you find a race like Sun Boat's win in the San Diego any less enjoyable to watch than say Giacomo's win in the race with similar closing tactics the prior year?

IMO, the faster paced, truly run race, is so much more exciting to watch. This years version over polytrack was like watching a field of good horses all try to go as slow as possible early---and try to win the race by staggering the least through the stretch. It's not easy on the eyes.

Will you concede my point? If you disagree, I'd like to know why.

[Riot]

Originally Posted by The Indomitable DrugS

Forget about betting for a moment.

Do you find a race like Sun Boat's win in the San Diego any less enjoyable to watch than say Giacomo's win in the race with similar closing tactics the prior year?

IMO, the faster paced, truly run race, is so much more exciting to watch. This years version over polytrack was like watching a field of good horses all try to go as slow as possible early---and try to win the race by staggering the least through the stretch. It's not easy on the eyes.

Will you concede my point? If you disagree, I'd like to know why.

I will have to watch the San Diego before commenting specifically, I worked all weekend and didn't see anything other than Sumwon's race.

You are defining a "truely run race" as one that has good honest fractions (please correct me if I am wrong).

I certainly agree that I prefer the horse that can keep faster company, be he closer, stalker, pace-setter, over one that is lesser.

I think the difference in our opinions may lay here: I don't think that most races I have seen run over artificial surfaces fall into a "paceless race", "let's all group up, canter for a while, then sprint the finish" scenario.

Yes, we are seeing more of that on artificial surfaces, however from what I have seen I think that is a "new" phenomenon when these tracks are first opening - it seems to lessen as the meets go on and riders and trainers become more comfortable on the surfaces.

Comment?